In a time of pandemic, the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department has made adjustments.

Chief Jason Patrick said today firefighters from the city’s two stations are no longer training together. “If one got the virus, we would have to isolate the whole crew.”

Other measures taken include locking the stations to the public and suspending its outreach programs — car seat inspections and installations; smoke detector installations and CPR and fire extinguisher classes.

“We’ve started taking the guys’ temperatures when they come on duty and go off-duty,” the chief said.

There are, of course, the admonitions that firefighters keep their hands clean and their phones clean. “Every two to three hours we wipe down the doorknobs, light switches and countertops.”

Vehicles are sanitized after every call. “We took a paint sprayer and put disinfectant in it. That disinfects the vehicle.”

The hardest thing Patrick said he had to was suspend families from coming in to visit on-duty firefighters. “It was something we had to do. If someone had the virus, we wouldn’t want the guys to give it to family members and vice versa. Hopefully, it’s just short-term. Hopefully, we can go back to the way we were.”

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When on-duty, firefighters bring their own sheets or sleeping bags. Still, beds are disinfected, Patrick said.

As far as calls, the fire department doesn’t go to as many sick calls now due to a shortage of masks and gloves. “We go to confirm codes. We’re trying to find ways to conserve supplies. We still respond upon EMS requests for assistance.”

Protocol hasn’t changed much on fire calls, Patrick said. “We just try to make sure we practice good social distancing when talking to the homeowner or the occupants.”

The fire department has temporarily suspended fire hydrant testing which ,when it’s done, can leave water brown or muddy for a short period of time. “We know people are at home. There’s already tensions, people are on edge. We don’t want to be muddying water. We don’t want to give the citizens anything else to worry about such as their water being cloudy or dirty.”

Office staff now comes in on alternating days. Part of them will work from home while the other staff will work from the office.

And, said the chief, “There are measures in place if we happen to lose guys to isolation.”

Thus far, firefighters are adapting to the changes, Patrick said. “I think everybody understands what the purpose is and everyone is trying to do their part to not spread the virus.”

City Manager Joseph Scherer this afternoon said, not only of the fire department but the city departments as a whole, “I’m very happy and proud they have adapted to this new work schedule and are adaptive to continue to provide city services while adhering to CDC guidelines.”